The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
of carrying of the Brandon

diamonds, and Mrs. Somers as Marie
Antoinette, in pale blue satin and
pearIes. arrived almost simultaneously
at Lady Mabel's. Little Fitz. to whom
both ladies' had, Of course, conhded the
secret of her incognitio, had got him
self up very magniicently as Louis
XIV, and this Mrs. Desmond consid-
cred as almost tantamount to a decla.
ration.
The ball was a most brilliant affair;
the weather was everything it should
be, warm, still and moonless; the iliu-
limitations were gorgeous, the music
good, the dresses admirable, and the
wine superlative. Lady Mabel's guests
took their pleasure with less of insular
sadness and more OF continental liveli-
ness thar usual. Whether it was the
novelty and daring of the thing, or the
tact of the hostess, or the unlimited
opportunities for Irritation, or the spice
of intrigue and mystidcation intro
duced into the affair by the wearing of
masks, it is certain that the ball was
a complete success from beginning TO
end. Minna Desmond, however, was
far from happy, for throughout the
evening little Fitz devoted himself
almost exclusively to her rival. The
blue dress Of Marie Antoinette was
always to be seen in juxtapoSltion with
the brilliant costume CT Louis XIV.
81 suppose he thinks as Clementina
is masked, people won't talk, thought
the. Disconnected widow, as she watched
the pair.
Carnforth, who had somehow discov-
cred that Madame de Pompadour was
no other than his tickle Minna, came
up to her and began to talk, at first
his attempts at conversation were
coldly received, but Jack was not easily
snubbed, and at length she seemed to
relent and gradually glided into a
friendly chat.
Carnforth was delighted; he begged
for a waltz, and Minna Gid not refuse
the request. When the dance was
ended, he led his partner into n OF
the pleasant hooks in the garden, hop
ing that the WIDOWS mood would not
change before he could find courage to
propose. But the lady's thoughts were
still running on Louis; she was deter
mined not to throw up the cards yet.
The first thing to be done was to get
rid of Carnforth, SO he was dispatched
to fetch an ice, much to his disgust.
Just as she was about to leave the arbor
in search of the recalcitrant Fitz, she
was startled by a rustic in the bushes
near, and a voice-Clementina's voice
whispering her NAME. at the same
time the bushes parted, showing the
blue dress of the Queen.
"Clementinaln cried the astonished
lady; ''you bere2"
"Hush, dear. l have been trying to
speak to you all the evening""
~"Indeedp" retorted the other coldly;
sI thought you were better occupied.
sob, Minna, don't be unkind. l
thought l could depend on your friend
Ship"
"My friendship. Much you care for
that, infatuated as you are by that lit
tle-o she paused, unable to find a
word strong enough to express her
feelings.
"Minna, dearest, you are surely not
jealous of me?"
"JealousI no, indeed. l don't ad-
mire your pocket AdOnis, your duo
decimo Louis XIV" said Minna with
whitening scorn
''Then we won't quarrel over him,
but unite our forces against the com
non foe," retorted the other with
spirit.
"The common foe? what do you
mean?n
'Just what l say. Minna, there is
treachery somewhere. Some one is
playing me, playing us, a cruel trick
tonight"
.sDo speak out plainly, DEAR" said
the other, with a little laugh. II am
too stupid to guess riddles.n
"Come with me, then, and / will
show you something more puzzling
than any riddle" And Clementina
drew her friends hand through her
arm and led her rapidly toward the
most secluded part of the garden. 81
saw them go in this direction she
went on excitediy. "Look, Minna,
don't you see a blue dress owe thereS''
Eyes, but there are ever so many
blue dresses here tonight"
mot like that one," whispered
Clementlna in her ear, sit is a fac
simiIe of NINE"
"Then it is not you Mr.. Brandon has
been dancing with all the evening?'
replied the other, breathlessly, a light
suddenly breaking in on her.
mo. He has been dancing with my
double"
my poor Clementina; but you
are"
Determined to find out who has
played me this shameful trick,n she
interrupted flercely. snow silence, or
they will hear us. Here they come
they are going to sit on that seat"
Drawing the ~astonished Minna after
her, Mrs. Somers slipped behind a
large bush of serlnga, which effeetually
screened them from view. Little
Fitz and his fair companion sauntered
slowly down the path, and as Clemen-
tina had predicted, seated themselves
on a garden bench close by. There was
an air OF tender empressment about
the former which at once struck She
eager watchers.
"And yon will give me that rose,
dear Mrs. Somers," he was saying
earnestly, as he bent over the small
iewelled hand of the unknown.
Clemenlina nearly cried aloud. Oil
This is dreaifal-the Adonis was posi-.
lively making love to her double before
her very eyes. The fair incognitio
laughed unsteady as she detached the
coveted flower from her dress and gave
it to the delighted Fitz.
s'Oh, yes, Mr.. Brandon. Why should
1 refuse you such a trife2 l only ask
for one thing in return"
Mrs. Somers' heart stood still. Was
she dreamingp The unknown not only
wore her dress. but spoke in her voice.
81 can refuse you nothing" pro-
tested Fitz, ardently.
Then tell me why you let that silly
Mrs. Desmond m~onopolize you as she
does? Come, conidesin me; are you in
love with her?n -.
SIN love with her." he rejoined, has
tily. ''Oh, no; surely, dearest Clemen-
tina, you should know better than
that!'
Mrs. Desmond clenched her hands.
@Ohl the little hypocrite, - she breathed.
ssThen you" there the unknown
paused and played coquettishly with
her FAM shave some feeling of-oi
friendship for-me9n she finished soft